ChineseToday | Huangshan iconic tree guardian in E China's Anhui-Xinhua

HEFEI, June 7 (Xinhua) -- Ding Ding is a guardian of the Guest-Greeting Pine, a famous landmark on Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province.

The 10-meter-tall Guest-Greeting Pine, whose roots sprang from the rocks on the UNESCO world heritage site, stands at an altitude of more than 1,600 meters. Its most recognizable feature is a long branch extending like an outstretched arm in a welcoming gesture.

Ding Ding checks the supporting poles of the Guest-Greeting Pine at the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Ding Ding takes a routine check of the Guest-Greeting Pine at the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

In the 1980s, a post to oversee the Guest-Greeting Pine was created, responsible for the daily care and observation of the remarkable millenary tree.

In 2016, Ding Ding became one of the guardians of the Guest-Greeting Pine, assisting Hu Xiaochun, the 19th guardian of the pine. They are not only colleagues, but also mentor and apprentice.

Ding Ding (R) and Hu Xiaochun take a routine check of the Guest-Greeting Pine in rain at the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 5, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Ding Ding checks the branches and leaves of the Guest-Greeting Pine with a magnifying glass at the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Ding Ding checks the bark of the Guest-Greeting Pine with a magnifying glass at the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Duan)

Ding Ding checks the Guest-Greeting Pine conditions with a monitoring system at the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)

Ding Ding checks the surrounding environment of the Guest-Greeting Pine with a drone at the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Fu Tian)

Ding Ding observes the crown of the Guest-Greeting Pine with a pair of binoculars at the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Ding Ding observes the crown of the Guest-Greeting Pine with a pair of binoculars in the Huangshan Mountain scenic area in east China's Anhui Province, June 4, 2024. (Xinhua/Fang Xin)

Everyday, Ding Ding started the patrol at 6:30 in the morning and conducted it every two hours, observing subtle changes in branches, leaves and bark, as well as the supporting frames and cables. He also used the drone to survey the surrounding environment of the tree.

"For me, the Guest-Greeting Pine is not just a tree, but more like a friend and a family member. I will continue my commitment to safeguard it," Ding Ding said.